The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is using a system of high-resolution video cameras and microwave relays to look for wildfires. The system is limited to El Dorado County so far and it will not replace anybody who might ordinarily staff existing fire lookout towers, according to CalFire. The state has 77 fire lookout towers statewide, but few are staffed regularly. The widespread use of cell phones by campers, hikers and others in the forest has essentially replaced the lonely lookouts atop a mountain.